The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-04-14


I've seen" said Mrs Slocum. ~ho Va
really Kind at heart.
Il ''You'i think she was 40 angel. coatin
Il nei Miranda. n know she's a. srtful
designing mink Why. she has iafstusted
Joe, and the deacon. too. I'll warrant
wha. do you supposed beard 10 the min
isier's Yesterday"
"Wha,sa csgerly. for Miraoda as village
music teacher gsrnered choice gossip
Mss Gray, the ministers wife sud me-
was to dinner and Miss Gray said the
young Clspps we're home. aud she sup
posed the deacon would be along pretty
soon. aud then she said she heard thu,
like as not the deacon and Miss Barton
would step of together"
''The idea,"
As they parted .Mirandy,' called Mrs.
Slocum. take thsss strawbeEssss; they
won't keep over Sunday"
Mirands expressed her thanks and was
hurryiug homeward when. As she neared
the dsacon's seized by Inspiration, she
turned in at the gste, and was mounting
the steps when DIR. Black opened the door
and pansed abruptly.
why. who's sick. dcctor?'
miss Josie
"Why 'm real sorry. l was just bring
ing her some berries; tain't 80 long since
| was her age but | remember l liked
em."
Z" I'm yes maam, but they're not ex-
actly suited TO this case
II guess I'll go in and see Joe; I've
some experience 10 sickness il am young.
HIN. yes," said the Doctor. "but /
cant let you in here, unless you'll agree
to take charge Of her"
Whats the matter, doctor9"
Small pox. ma'sm"
Down went the berries and Miranda
sped away like the wind
With a sigh OF relief. Miss Barton drop.
ped the key Of the school house in her
pocket. and set out on her walk TO the
boarding house, breathing in the fresh,
June all with delicious sense Of freedom,
thinking of the dear, old home in the
shadow of Mt. Wachusett, the loving
hearts awaiting her coming.
"Oh, Miss BartonI" cried Jennie Nelson,
breathlessly. "Joe Clapp has the small
pox."
mo, oh, nor
"Yes, but she has, persisted Jennie.
'aud DR.. Black can't get anyone to take
care Of her. Isn't it shocking?"
Miss Barton walked on, all the bright
light stricken from her day. Reaching
the farm house, she heard the same story,
and disturbed, went TO her room but not
to pack She was gazing absently out,
when DR.. Black drove by. Calling to him.
she ran out to the gate.
''It's only too true, Miss Barton, aud
The worst Of it Is, | can't fiud anyone to
care for her The old woman is perfectly
useless ! uui going to Castine, bnt |
confess, ! am 10, very sanpuiue
Meanwhile she may perisb?"
He nodded
Doctor" said Miss Barton, ''take me,
am not afraid, and if God sees fit 10 cali
me- her voice trembled little II am
ready to say "rhy will be done"
"Bless my soul, you don't know what
you are saying, Miss Barton. Not one OF
.hese people who have been coddling these
children for three years would do it, and
you are comparative stranger"
"The Levite passed on, but the Samari-
an ministered unto the stricken one. Say
10 more, doctor. / am fully determined.
Please wait for me"
when woman will, she will" nut
cred the doctor as he watched the slight
igure fit away
She speedily rejoined him, and they
lrove away in utter silence. Reaching
he house, she li,teued calmly to the doc
ors instructions, but when left alone with
poor Joe she sank ou her knees and i'm
)lored Hi strength aud guidance.
Mr. Cspp WAS almost distracted when
he heard .oi bis darliug's danger, and ex-
ic'ed from the doctor u promise to show q
4 hte dag il the wort came How be
Watched the window where the red flag
uttered expecting, dreading. each mo-
nent to behold the fatal sign substituted;
Ab, no parents heart needs the story.
|. Was the great excitement Of the vii
age which aas diyiled iuto two parties;
III the sour, malicious old women express
ng their shocked astonIshment over Miss
Bartons nnmaidenly forwardness; all the
epder hearted mothers praising her hero
SIN and pray ing for her success.
II sas not to be.
1t wa, suliry July afternoon. the air
barely stirring the muslin curtains Miss
Barton sat watching the poor. little dshg-
lred face nestled among the piiloas. Joe
vas sleeping, aud shc tried to persuade
herself that death would he merciful. and
pare the child who bad so won her heart,
Jet she could not but see the fell shadow
deepening Suddenly the great, brown
yes opened, all the fever glitter gone, in
heir depths new light
Dear Miss Barton said joe. feebly,
4 am SO sorry for poor papa and the
,oys
Don't talk SO. Joe. the tears falling
lespite her.
Joe. dear. it was only dream. Try
o sleep again.
',No, | must talk nov. want you to
ell papa and Archis aud Charlie. hov
much loved them aud you, aod to tell